In the high noon of Silicon Valley, it seems that among the latest weapons allowed there are not only smartphones, but also the TV. Google just announced its low-cost answer to the Apple TV: a seemingly innocuous USB stick.
Chromecast, this is the name of the device, must be connected to the television through an HDMI port and allows the user to watch streaming video using their smartphone, tablet or computer.
The device, immediately launched on the American market, costs 35 dollars. It is not yet known when the product will go on sale outside the United States.
Chromecast is the latest attempt by the Mountain View giant to enter the television industry. In 2012 he timidly tried to enter the living room, considered by industry experts a gold mine of profits thanks to advertising. The first experiment – a 300 euro set top box in partnership with Sony – failed miserably. Just as the experience of Google TV had gone badly, a service hampered by various television networks and which forced users to acquire expensive equipment.
The idea of Chromecast, on the other hand, is very simple: to offer streaming clips available on existing websites, such as YouTube and Netflix, on any television screen. The stick is connected to the TV and uses the home wireless internet connection. In reality, some devices already offer similar services, but they are generally expensive and with little freedom of movement for the user. Google does nothing but make everything cheap and, above all, pocket-sized.
